Household Electrical Appliance

ABSTRACT

A household electrical appliance, in particular a washing machine, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a tumble dryer or the like, is provided. The household electrical appliance includes a body portion and a cover for covering relationship with the body portion. The cover includes a panel with an upper face, a lower face, and lateral sections, and a protector in surrounding relationship with the lateral sections that surrounds them, the panel being formed at least partially of glass

The invention relates to the field of household electrical appliances such as, in particular, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a tumble dryer or the like, with covers that comprise a panel with an upper face, a lower face and lateral sections, and a protector of the lateral sections that surround them.

In covers of household electrical appliances of the type mentioned above, the purpose of the protection of the edges of the panels is to protect them against mechanical damage, and the purpose of the placement, closing the upper opening of the appliance, is to prevent the user inserting his/her hand in the active parts of the appliance. It is also used by the user as an extra table. If the cover panel is made of a wood-based material, the edges where the panel has been cut then have open pores and have to be protected against soiling and the ingress of moisture. Lastly, the protection for the edges has to facilitate gripping of the cover and, thereby, the handleability and transportability of the household electrical appliance that is provided with the cover, such as, for example a refrigerator, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher or the like.

The protector for the edges is normally formed by a mechanically sufficiently stable plastics material that is resistant to reasonably aggressive media and to adverse climatic conditions. A metal protector may also be assembled.

In an injection-moulding machine into which the prefabricated wood or wood-substitute panel with some coating of paint on one or both sides has been placed, the plastics material is injection-moulded over the edge of the cut panel that has the open pores such that the plastics material penetrates the pores and the protector for the edge forms a bond with the panel. At the same time, the protector of the edge extends at least over the upper surface of the panel. This results in a firm, leaktight join between the protector for the edge and the panel. It is also known to produce the protector for the edge in a special work step, for example by injection-moulding or extrusion of a batten-type profile, and in a further work step to join it to the panel by means of adhesive bonding.

The known injection-moulding of the protector of the edge on the panel has the advantage that the anticipated functions can be obtained in an economically favourable manner. One disadvantage is the fact that it is later not possible to detach the protector from the edge. This problem arises when it comes to protecting the environment, when the cover and even the units that have it that are produced are damaged or for any other reason become unusable and of no value, having to be taken to rubbish dumps, and also when the manufacturer is obliged to recover the appliance, as, for example, in the case of refrigerators, and then has to concern itself with disposal and, on occasion, recycling of the unit. There is therefore a particular need to separate out the various materials, and in the case of covers it is highly desirable to be able to remove from the panel all or at least the greater part of the edge protectors, with their relatively high percentage of plastics, which, may, for the rest, be reused.

Front-loading washing machines, and refrigerators and dishwashers normally have manual operating controls for the selection of wash programmes and the adjustment of spin speed that are located on the front part of the frame, over the loading door. The described position of the controls requires the electrical energy for powering the various receiving elements to be supplied via the inside of the machine's general frame, with the consequent difficulty of running and connecting the wiring. In turn, the supply of electrical energy via the inside of the washing machine involves the dispersal of points for checking the operation of the washing machine's mechanisms, which creates an added problem when it comes to locating possible failures.

In kitchen appliances, in which the cover is used basically as an extra work surface, if the protection for the edge is extended downwards the aim of covering the space left between the cover and the carcass of the appliance is pursued. In this case, on the lower face of the cover, there are often also injection-moulded plastics functional elements, such as caps, clips and the like, with which the cover is fixed to the carcass of the appliance. These functional elements are also covered by the protection of the edge. In the appliance of patent WO 03071021 a cover for electrical appliances is disclosed that has an integral electronic control, in which the inner structure thereof has housings of suitable shape, dimensions and relative position for containing the components or electronic cards that govern and control operation of the washing machine when the controls are on the front section of the frame that protects the cover panel.

When the known cover is placed as a cover on household and kitchen electrical appliances, it has certain disadvantages as it is subject to damage by items left on it: scratching, moisture and heat. In particular, the panel may bulge and, also, the protector for the edge may be damaged. This is especially the case with panels that cover washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, tumble dryers or the like.

A subject of the invention is a household electrical appliance with a cover that is stronger and more versatile, has sufficient protection against moisture and withstands scratching, without suffering damage from heat.

This objective is achieved by means of a household electrical appliance, in particular a washing machine, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a tumble dryer or the like, with a cover for covering it that comprises a panel with an upper face, a lower face and lateral sections, and a protector of the lateral sections that surrounds them, in which at least part of the panel is made of glass. The cover may cover just the upper part of the appliance or, alternatively, partly cover the lateral sections, such as the sides, front or rear. The cover may be composed of a planar panel or, alternatively, partly rounded panel, for example at one of its ends, in order to cover part of the front of the appliance or a lateral section of the appliance. The panel may be part glass/part another material, such as, for example, board made of wood or wood substitute, or maybe entirely made of glass. If it is made partly of glass, a seal is provided between the two parts of the panel.

It has the great advantage that this is a hard material unaffected by moisture and normal temperature changes.

The protector for the lateral sections extends over the upper face and at least part of the lower face of the panel in order at least to seal the entire perimeter of the panel and to prevent infiltrations into the appliance.

Under the lower face of the glass panel is arranged at least one touch control of the household electrical appliance. In this way it is possible to dispense with manual controls on the front of the appliance, and it is also more convenient not to have to bend down in order to actuate them.

In yet a further embodiment, under the lower face of the glass panel is arranged a display element for displaying operating data for the household electrical appliance in order to have a convenient way in which to read the information the appliance provides.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover or part of the cover may be slid horizontally on the frame of the household electrical appliance and thus, if the appliance is built in under a kitchen worktop, the cover or part of the cover with the controls can be displaced and the touch controls and elements displaying the information will be accessible.

The protector is constructed from a plastics profile that is very simple to produce, and it may be produced by direct injection-moulding over the panel or, alternatively, by means of two frameworks joined together with the panel between them.

The protector comprises fixing means for the controls and/or display elements of the household electrical appliance, such as a means added at the time the protective piece is injection-moulded.

The cover also comprises guides for its displacement on the frame of the appliance and a grip for manually displacing it horizontally on the household electrical appliance in order to facilitate its displacement under the kitchen worktop where the appliance is installed. The displacement system may be manual or automatic, for example electrical, or a known electromechanical system. Also, the guides may guide the entire cover or only the necessary part thereof.

The cover comprises an automatic displacement system with a small electric motor that propels it and slides it on the frame, making movement more convenient, or alternatively, a system of springs.

The invention will be described below on the basis of certain constructional examples that are reproduced in the following figures:

FIG. 1: this shows a washing machine with a cover of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2: this shows a dishwasher with a cover with the touch-control elements and display elements described in the invention;

FIG. 3: this shows a dishwasher built in under a kitchen unit, with a cover such as that of one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4: this shows a detail of a section of a cover of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front-loading household electrical appliance 10 with a cover 1 that has a glass panel 2, covering part of the surface of the cover, and a protective framework 5 that surrounds it. In another embodiment (not shown), part of the panel may be a second, plastics or wooden panel with a window such as that of FIG. 1, the window being closed, for example, by means of a glass panel on which appliance information is displayed.

FIG. 2 shows a dishwasher with a cover 1 with a glass panel 2 surrounded by a protective framework 5 that comprises the touch controls 3 of the appliance 10 and a display screen 4 for operating information. In this way, the front of the appliance is free of electrical connections, thereby greatly reducing the cost of the appliance and allowing more space for aesthetic touches. The protector 5 may be fixed to the border of the cover panel in a variety of ways, for example by adhesive bonding or by injection-overmoulding.

For household electrical appliances built in under a worktop, FIG. 3 shows a cover 1 that can be displaced on the household electrical appliance to provide access to the touch controls 3 and the display screen 4 for operating information on the appliance. In an embodiment of this type, however, the controls could be retractable buttons.

FIG. 4 shows a section of the cover of the household electrical appliance in which the protector 5 has been injection-moulded in one piece on the glass panel 2 surrounding the borders 23 and partly covering the upper face 21 and the lower face 22, and the same injection-moulding has produced retention elements 6 for securing the touch-control elements 3 of the appliance 10 against the lower face of the panel. The figure does not show the securing of the data-display device 4, which may be joined by means of studs adhesively bonded to the lower face 22 of the panel 2. Also, in the same injection-moulding process, telescopic rails 7 for bonding to a frame of the appliance 10 and facilitating its horizontal displacement with respect to the frame have been attached. The profile also shows a grip 8 that the user uses in order to displace the cover 1.

In another embodiment (not shown in the figures), the protector 5 for the edge 23 is formed by an exterior framework and an interior framework 7, each one of these being formed, for example, by an angular profile. The two frameworks are produced separately by means of injection-moulding. The exterior framework partly covers the upper face 21 of the panel 2 and extends downwards until it in part touches the frame of the appliance 10. The interior framework has a short flange in contact with the lower face 22 of the panel 2 and another flange whereby it is joined to the downward extension of the exterior framework, for example by welding, adhesive bonding or the like.

In another embodiment (not shown in the figures), the panel 2 is fixed, for example adhesively bonded, by means of glue directly to the exterior framework, underneath. Or, alternatively, the protector may be injection-overmoulded on the panel, forming a more compact cover.

One advantageous special feature of glass is that it may be very easily screen-printed or tinted on the inside, showing information on the apparatus. Or, access may be gained to the lower face of the panel 22 either by raising it, separating it from the frame, or by a groove in the protector for adhesion of information to the lower face of the panel 22 with a transparent or partly transparent glass. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A household electrical appliance, in particular a washing machine, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a tumble dryer or the like, the household electrical appliance comprising: a body portion; and a cover for covering relationship with the body portion, the cover including a panel with an upper face, a lower face, and lateral sections, and a protector in surrounding relationship with the lateral sections that surrounds them, the panel being formed at least partially of glass.
 12. The household electrical appliance according to claim 11, wherein the entire panel is made of glass.
 13. The household electrical appliance according to claim 11, wherein the protector for the lateral sections extends over the upper face and at least part of the lower face of the panel.
 14. The household electrical appliance according to claim 11, wherein under the lower face of the glass panel is arranged at least one touch control of the household electrical appliance.
 15. The household electrical appliance according to claim 11, wherein under the lower face of the glass panel is arranged a display element for displaying data concerning the household electrical appliance.
 16. The household electrical appliance according to claim 11, wherein the cover or part of the cover may be slid on the household electrical appliance.
 17. The household electrical appliance according to claim 11, wherein the protector is constructed from a plastics profile.
 18. The household electrical appliance according to claim 11, wherein the protector comprises fixing means for the controls and/or the display element of the household electrical appliance.
 19. The household electrical appliance according to claim 16, wherein the cover comprises guides for its displacement and a grip for manually displacing it on the household electrical appliance.
 20. The household electrical appliance according to claim 16, wherein the cover comprises an automatic displacement system. 